New FAA Rule: 25-Hour Cockpit Voice Recorders Mandatory for Newly Manufactured Aircraft
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has recently finalized a groundbreaking rule. This rule mandates that all newly manufactured aircraft be equipped with 25-hour cockpit voice recorders. This is a significant change from the current 2-hour standard that has been in place for decades. The regulation, which was published on February 2, 2026, aims to prevent the loss of critical flight deck audio before investigators have the opportunity to secure it.
The new requirement is effective immediately for large passenger aircraft manufactured after May 16, 2025. However, there are staggered compliance dates for smaller aircraft, extending through 2029. This rule brings U.S. standards in line with international requirements. These have already been adopted by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
The National Transportation Safety Board has been a long-time advocate for extended recording duration. They have cited numerous investigations where crucial evidence was lost due to the 2-hour loop being overwritten. The FAA estimates the incremental cost of the upgraded recorders to be approximately $5,209 per aircraft. While some pilot unions have raised privacy concerns about the extended recording time, the FAA maintains that existing protections limit how CVR data can be used, restricting its application to safety investigations only.
Source: AvWeb